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. 1970 Aug;103(2):504–512. doi: 10.1128/jb.103.2.504-512.1970

Site of Initiation of Cellular Autolysis in Streptococcus faecalis as Seen by Electron Microscopy

M L Higgins a, H M Pooley a,1, G D Shockman a
PMCID: PMC248111  PMID: 4988247

Abstract

Low concentrations of glutaraldehyde (0.1% or higher) blocked cellular and wall autolysis. The site of autolytic activity was studied by allowing cell autolysis to proceed for very short periods (0 to 15 min) before addition of glutaraldehyde. Electron microscopy of ultrathin sections showed that the primary site of autolytic activity was the leading edge of the nascent cross wall. The base of the cross wall seemed more resistant than the tip. Evidence supporting the involvement of autolysin activity in continued wall extension and in cell separation as well as in the initiation of new sites of wall extension was obtained. In cells exposed for 10 min to chloramphenicol, wall dissolution was very much slower but occurred at the same cross wall site.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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